Easter Hats for Boys

Easter Hat for Boys

Step1: Get template and follow on your black Bristol board. The hat can be made days or even weeks before.

Step 2: Start to decorate and  get your kids involved. Remember they are the ones going to wear the hat. Let your kids crack open the eggs.

Step 3:  Measure and stick the blue ribbon around the bottom of the hat. 

Step 4: Time to stick the eggs.  Take one half of an egg, put glue around the circumference very lightly. Place on hat's exterior. It's a fun and funky hat so place eggs in a hap-hazard manner, mixing up the colour's.  And most importantly have fun.

Sorry, I did not take picture through out the enitre process.  But it is super easy, so I know you and your kids can do it.  Have fun.

Pierrot Greneda Costume

Pierrot Greneda

In Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event held on Monday and Tuesday, before ash Wednesday.  the Two day masquerade is known as a time to "free up"  and dress in colourful costume.  However, today many of the traditional costume and forms of celebration have became non-existant. Today, " bikini mas" has become the trend.  However, in an attempt to preseve the history of Carnival, it has been incorporated into the schools syllabuses.

Zara and El-Lee dressed as Pierrot Greneda's.

My son's class has chosen the tradition charater known as the Pierrot Grenada. It is the descendant of the Pierrot, he represents fighting prowess with his whip, he is followed by a band of female supporters who fight on his behalf...........Lucky guy.  He frequently quoted Shakespearean charaters. So, together we set out to make his costume.  Of, course we had to make one for his little sister.  I must admit the costume is the kiddie version to the real exotic costume.

What you will need?

Old cloth

Scissors

Glue sticks

Glue gun

What we did?  Remember "recycle, reuse, reinvent" then only if necessary hit the store.

Step 1: I used some left over material from a party.  Use a piece as long and wide as your kid when doubled.    Cut out head piece and arms. Glue sides together leaving a space for the arms. ( Inner piece should look like an adults sleeveless top )

Step 2: Cut out  4 inch strips, making sure that the it is as wide as the inner piece. How many strips? For two kids, cut until your tried.  Remember you have to cut enough to cover the back of the costume.

Step3:  Stick 4 inch strips onto the inner piece from top to bottom.  We alternated the colours as we stuck them.  Then give it to my kid to cut up the strips.  They can do it.  My son is five he did a terrific job, my daughter is three and she did great but got bored so I had to complete hers.

Zara admiring her cost

Step 4:   Let your kid's put it on and to finish the look put some baby powder on their face. And tie their heads with a  triangular piece of material.

Step 5. Upon reflection, I think this should be the first step.   Tell your kids about the history of Carinval and the significance of the Pierrot Grenade.  Most importantly, have fun, make mess and let your kids help.

Easy Banana Muffins - 5 Easy Steps.

Easy Banana Muffins - 5 Easy Steps

My kids and I make these quite often when our banana trees are bearing.  No matter how much you eat, give away and eat and eat, you usually have a bunch of over ripe bananas on the counter.  At, our home wasting is not an option, so we make banana smoothies, sorbet, and other snacks when we tried of eating bananas.  The recipe is very easy, healthy and freezes, well.  This blog will show you how to make one of our favourites alternatives, " Banana Muffins"

INGREDIENTS:
Serves: 12
3 large bananas/ 6 small bananas
2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
3/4 brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup water
2 1/2oz butter melted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-heat oven 350 degrees F/ 172 degrees C.  Pick some bananas , or ideally use very ripe bananas.  Set aside flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

2. Cut it up place in blender  with 1 cup of milk, we used water [son is lactose intolerant].   Blend, or mash bananas with a fork.  Add sugar, eggs, butter. Consistency should be a bit chunky.

3.  Pour into mixing bowl.  Add flour, salt ,baking powder, and baking soda. Combine ingredients. 

4. Scoop into muffin pan.  Place in oven for 15 minute for small ones, 30 minutes for large ones.

  

5. Serve hot, room temperature, with cheese  however you like it.  Enjoy.

After my kids and I was finish, we realised we forgot to but in the baking powder............ Explains the flat appearance.  For those nut lovers out there......add nuts to this recipe and it decadent.